Virgin's pioneering tourist-carrying spacecraft crashed on a test flight in California on Friday, killing a pilot and scattering debris across the desert -- and raising questions about the program's future.
But Virgin chief Richard Branson, while voicing shock at the accident involving Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo, vowed to push forward towards the dream of space flight for the paying public.
"We've always known that the road to space is extremely difficult -- and that every new transportation system has to deal with bad days early in their history," he said.
"Space is hard -- but worth it. We will persevere and move forward together," he added in a statement issued as he refueled en route for Mojave.
Television images showed the wreckage of SpaceShipTwo, a test vehicle that flies to the edge of space, amid brush east of Mojave, a few hours' drive northeast of Los Angeles.
The incident is the second disaster involving a US spacecraft this week, after an unmanned Orbital Sciences rocket carrying supplies to the International Space Station exploded after launch on Tuesday.
It is also a huge blow to British tycoon Branson's long-held dream of offering the first passenger space flights, which have been snapped up by Leonardo DiCaprio and other celebrities.
The Virgin chief is due Saturday in Mojave, where the California Highway Patrol confirmed that one pilot had died and another was seriously injured and taken to hospital.
Reserved seats
The spaceship had been carried aloft on a bigger aircraft known as WhiteKnightTwo and then released for a test of its rocket engine above the Mojave desert, the latest in a series of tests.
Stuart Witt, head of the Mojave Air and Space Port, said WhiteKnightTwo took off at 9:20 am, and released SpaceShipTwo at an altitude of 45,000 feet (13,700 meters) at 10:10 am, after 50 minutes of flight.
Two minutes later, Witt said it became clear as he watched from the space port that something had gone wrong, even though there was nothing obvious visually from the ground.
"If there was a huge explosion, I didn't see it," he said. "From my eyes and my ears, I detected nothing that appeared abnormal."
The National Transportation Safety Board air safety agency said it was sending a team to the site of the crash.
The flight -- the 35th by SpaceShipTwo, according to Virgin Galactic's Twitter feed -- involved the same configuration as previously, although the type of fuel was new, officials said.
More than 500 people have already reserved seats -- and paid a deposit on the $250,000 ticket price -- for a minutes-long suborbital flight on SpaceShipTwo, which can carry six passengers.
The SpaceShipTwo's first commercial flight -- in which Branson and his family have vowed to travel -- has been repeatedly delayed, but was tentatively forecast for the first half of 2015, before Friday's crash.
DiCaprio and fellow actors Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore are among those already reported to have booked their place.
In May, DiCaprio auctioned off an invitation to join him on a trip into space, raising 700,000 euros ($876,000).
Private companies are rushing to fill the gap left by NASA, which ended its 30-year shuttle program in July 2011 with the completion of the final Atlantis mission to the International Space Station (ISS).
Analysts said the accident is a huge blow to the nascent industry.
"It's a setback for the tourism industry," said Marco Caceres, an analyst and director of space studies for the Teal Group, a defense and aerospace consultancy just outside of Washington, DC.
"You are not going to see any commercial space tourism flight next year or probably several years after that," he told AFP.
But Witt said the commercial space industry and all the young entrepreneurs working in it must move beyond the tragedy.
"My message to them is stay the course," he said.
Virgin Galactic chief executive George Whitesides echoed the sentiment, saying: "We're going to get through it. The future rests in many ways on hard days like these."
Reality TV
NASA voiced shock at the crash.
"While not a NASA mission, the pain of this tragedy will be felt by all the men and women who have devoted their lives to exploration," said NASA Administrator Charles Bolden.
"Space flight is incredibly difficult, and we commend the passion of all in the space community who take on risk to push the boundaries of human achievement."
The Virgin crash also raised questions over a reality TV show, "Space Race."
The show, which was commissioned last year, pits contenders against each other to win a flight on the Virgin Galactic spacecraft, according to entertainment industry journal Variety.
Initial investigations into the earlier Orbital Science rocket explosion centered on the pair of rocket engines providing its thrust, which were made during the Soviet era and refurbished.
AFP
Sat Nov 01 2014
![Branson shocked as Virgin spaceship crash kills pilot Branson shocked as Virgin spaceship crash kills pilot](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2014-11/81414818162_295x200.jpg)
Debris from the crash site of the Virgin Galactic Spaceship Two rests in the Mojave desert, some 30 miles north of Mojave, California, USA, 31 October 2014. EPA/MICHAEL NELSON
![Misi ekonomi produk agrikomoditi ke India perkukuh hubungan dua hala Misi ekonomi produk agrikomoditi ke India perkukuh hubungan dua hala](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/61721130378_JohariAbdulGhani.jpg)
Misi ekonomi produk agrikomoditi ke India perkukuh hubungan dua hala
KPK akan mengadakan Misi Ekonomi Produk Agrikomoditi Malaysia ke India pada 17-18 Julai ini.
![Golongan belia pemacu penting bentuk masa depan industri pembuatan Malaysia - FMM Golongan belia pemacu penting bentuk masa depan industri pembuatan Malaysia - FMM](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-05/41715247870_SohThianLaijpg.jpg)
Golongan belia pemacu penting bentuk masa depan industri pembuatan Malaysia - FMM
Pemimpin perniagaan dan usahawan daripada golongan belia merupakan pemacu penting yang akan membentuk masa depan industri pembuatan Malaysia, kata Presiden Persekutuan Pekilang-Pekilang Malaysia.
AWANI Tonight: 16 July 2024
#AWANITonight with @Hafiz_Marzukhi
1. Govt mulls amending Penal Code to deal with cyberbullying
2. England's Southgate resigns after Euro 2024 Final defeat
#AWANIEnglish #AWANINews
1. Govt mulls amending Penal Code to deal with cyberbullying
2. England's Southgate resigns after Euro 2024 Final defeat
#AWANIEnglish #AWANINews
![9,241 pelajar Palestin terbunuh dalam serangan Israel sejak 7 Oktober 9,241 pelajar Palestin terbunuh dalam serangan Israel sejak 7 Oktober](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-06/81718630490_Smokerises.jpg)
9,241 pelajar Palestin terbunuh dalam serangan Israel sejak 7 Oktober
9,318 pelajar terbunuh dan 14,671 lagi cedera di Semenanjung Gaza manakala di Tebing Barat, 103 pelajar terbunuh dan 505 lagi cedera.
![Penumpang Singapore Airlines meningkat hampir 14 peratus pada Jun Penumpang Singapore Airlines meningkat hampir 14 peratus pada Jun](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/61721142800_AirbusA.jpg)
Penumpang Singapore Airlines meningkat hampir 14 peratus pada Jun
Rangkaian penumpang Kumpulan SIA meliputi 125 destinasi setakat Jun dan rangkaian kargo terdiri daripada 129 destinasi.
![Empat individu termasuk pasangan pempengaruh bebas tahanan reman Empat individu termasuk pasangan pempengaruh bebas tahanan reman](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-05/41716613114_TBsprm.jpg)
Empat individu termasuk pasangan pempengaruh bebas tahanan reman
Kesemua individu juga perlu hadir ke pejabat Suruhanjaya Pencegahan Rasuah Malaysia (SPRM) sebulan sekali untuk melaporkan diri.
![KPT alu-alukan syor PAC guna garis panduan pelaburan universiti awam untuk anak syarikat KPT alu-alukan syor PAC guna garis panduan pelaburan universiti awam untuk anak syarikat](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/81719822088_ZambryAbdKadir.jpg)
KPT alu-alukan syor PAC guna garis panduan pelaburan universiti awam untuk anak syarikat
KPT mengalu-alukan cadangan PAC berhubung pelaksanaan dan pemakaian Garis Panduan Pelaburan dan Pembiayaan oleh Universiti Awam 2024, kepada anak-anak syarikat di bawah seliaan kementerian itu.
![SUKMA 2024: Sepak takraw wanita mungkin digugurkan SUKMA 2024: Sepak takraw wanita mungkin digugurkan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/61720679430_AbdulKarimRahman.jpg)
SUKMA 2024: Sepak takraw wanita mungkin digugurkan
Sepak takraw wanita berpasukan berkemungkinan akan digugurkan daripada senarai acara temasya Sukan Malaysia (SUKMA) 2024 berikutan jumlah penyertaan kurang daripada jumlah minimum yang ditetapkan.
10 Berita Pilihan - (16 Julai 2024)
Antara pelbagai berita dalam dan luar negara yang disiarkan di Astro AWANI, berikut adalah yang paling menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari ini.
![Enam rakyat Vietnam ditemukan maut di sebuah hotel di Bangkok Enam rakyat Vietnam ditemukan maut di sebuah hotel di Bangkok](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-12/41702437730_maut.jpg)
Enam rakyat Vietnam ditemukan maut di sebuah hotel di Bangkok
Enam orang ditemukan maut di sebuah hotel di Bangkok, Thailand pada Selasa laporan media tempatan yang memetik polis Bangkok.
![Richard Branson tolak berdebat dengan menteri Singapura isu hukuman mati Richard Branson tolak berdebat dengan menteri Singapura isu hukuman mati](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2022-10/71667207072_RichardBranson.jpg)
Richard Branson tolak berdebat dengan menteri Singapura isu hukuman mati
Jutawan British Sir Richard Branson menolak pelawaan Singapura untuk menyertai debat televisyen secara langsung dengan Menteri Undang-undang dan Hal Ehwal Dalam Negeri K. Shanmugam.
![Singapura pelawa Richard Branson berdebat isu dadah, hukuman mati Singapura pelawa Richard Branson berdebat isu dadah, hukuman mati](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2021-08/71628307068_BRANSON.jpg)
Singapura pelawa Richard Branson berdebat isu dadah, hukuman mati
Singapura mengundang Sir Richard Branson untuk berdebat secara langsung menerusi televisyen mengenai pendekatan republik ini berhubung isu dadah dan hukuman mati.
![Hukuman gantung: Richard Branson, Stephen Fry mohon Singapura beri Nagaenthran pengampunan Hukuman gantung: Richard Branson, Stephen Fry mohon Singapura beri Nagaenthran pengampunan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2022-04/51650707395_Richardbransondan.jpg)
Hukuman gantung: Richard Branson, Stephen Fry mohon Singapura beri Nagaenthran pengampunan
Mereka menggesa presiden Singapura, Halimah Yacob dan Perdana Menteri, Lee Hsien Loong untuk memberikan Nagaenthran, 34, pengampunan.
![Individu paling kaya di dunia, Jeff Bezos lengkapkan misi angkasa lepas Individu paling kaya di dunia, Jeff Bezos lengkapkan misi angkasa lepas](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2021-07/81626788181_BlueOriginNewShep.jpg)
Individu paling kaya di dunia, Jeff Bezos lengkapkan misi angkasa lepas
Individu paling kaya di dunia, Jeff Bezos berlepas ke angkasa menggunakan kapsul pesawat New Shepard dari pangkalan angkasa lepas di Texas, pada Selasa.
![Richard Branson lengkapkan misi angkasa lepas Richard Branson lengkapkan misi angkasa lepas](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2021-07/81626018771_RichardBranson.jpg)
Richard Branson lengkapkan misi angkasa lepas
Hartawan Richard Branson melengkapkan misi angkasa lepas, apabila pesawat angkasa Virgin Galactic berjaya mendarat di Spaceport, New Mexico.
![Richard Branson berlepas ke angkasa Richard Branson berlepas ke angkasa](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2021-07/51626016232_RichardBranson.jpg)
Richard Branson berlepas ke angkasa
Branson berlepas dari Spaceport America di New Mexico pada pukul 10.44 malam waktu Malaysia dan pelepasan itu disiarkan secara penstriman langsung di AstroAWANI.com.
![Richard Branson bersedia untuk ke angkasa lepas Richard Branson bersedia untuk ke angkasa lepas](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2021-07/61625956703_TBVIRGINGALACTIC.jpg)
Richard Branson bersedia untuk ke angkasa lepas
Virgin Galactic menjadi syarikat roket pertama yang menerbangkan pengasas syarikatnya ke angkasa lepas.
![Virus korona jejas pendapatan, dana kerajaan ditagih hartawan Virus korona jejas pendapatan, dana kerajaan ditagih hartawan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2020-04/61587681024_StellaMcCartneyVi.jpg)
Virus korona jejas pendapatan, dana kerajaan ditagih hartawan
Akibat tidak sanggup menanggung beban pembayaran gaji dari poket sendiri, mereka dikecam tangkai jering.
![Kemalangan basikal, Richard Branson sangka sudah mati Kemalangan basikal, Richard Branson sangka sudah mati](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2016-08/81472272461_RichardBranson.jpg)
Kemalangan basikal, Richard Branson sangka sudah mati
Branson terpelanting dari basikal dan cedera di bahagian pipi serta ligamennya terkoyak.
![Virgin Group beri cuti bergaji setahun kepada pekerja baru bergelar bapa Virgin Group beri cuti bergaji setahun kepada pekerja baru bergelar bapa](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2015-06/71433922165_295x200.jpg)
Virgin Group beri cuti bergaji setahun kepada pekerja baru bergelar bapa
Polisi baru syarikat itu memberi cuti bergaji sehingga setahun kepada pekerja lelaki yang baru menimang cahaya mata.